Orange Cranberry Bread

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 50 min. + cooling

Makes

2 loaves (16 pieces each)

Updated: Jul. 14, 2023
This orange cranberry bread is packed with the zesty taste of cranberries and orange peel. I suggest serving slices toasted with butter or cream cheese. —Ron Gardner, Grand Haven, Michigan
Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons grated orange zest
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 large apple, peeled and chopped
  • GLAZE (optional):
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Whisk the egg, milk, orange juice, oil and orange zest; stir into dry ingredients just until blended. Fold in the cranberries and apple.
  2. Pour into 2 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
  3. If desired, combine confectioners' sugar, orange liqueur and zest. Stir in enough orange juice to reach desired consistency. Sprinkle with additional orange zest.
Orange Cranberry Bread Tips

Can you use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen cranberries?

In a pinch, you can substitute dried cranberries for fresh or frozen in this bread. Change the amount from 2 cups fresh or frozen to 1-1/2 cups dried. Have extra cranberries on hand? Here are some of our favorite cranberry recipes.

How do you make an orange glaze for orange cranberry bread?

To make an orange glaze for the bread, you only need a few simple ingredients: 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter and 1/4 cup orange juice. Mix them together, then spoon the glaze slowly over the bread, adding extra confectioners' sugar if you want a thicker glaze. Or, skip the glaze and try topping your bread with streusel or chopped nuts instead.

How long does orange cranberry bread last?

Orange cranberry bread will last in an airtight plastic bag kept at room temperature for 2-3 days, or, if wrapped in foil and stored in the freezer, up to 3 months. Here's more on how to freeze bread.

—Sammi DiVito, Taste of Home Assistant Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 98 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.